The African safari packing list

Tanzania & Kenya

The highlands surprise people: the Ngorongoro Crater rim sits at 7,500ft and dawn drives in the Mara are cold — pack the fleece even in the dry season. Long sleeves at dusk for mosquitoes, and the neutral palette matters most here (tsetse country).

Rwanda & Uganda

Gorilla country is rainforest at altitude — it rains year-round, so the waterproofs, gloves and gaiters in the trekking list are not optional. Sturdy broken-in boots beat new ones every time.

Botswana & the Okavango

Winter (May–September) mornings in an open vehicle or mokoro sit near freezing — add a warm hat, gloves and a windproof layer. A small dry bag protects your camera on the water. The 15kg soft-bag rule is enforced most strictly here.

South Africa & Cape Town

Seasons are reversed: June–August is winter, so safari mornings need real warmth and Cape Town needs a proper jacket and umbrella. Add smarter outfits for the city and Winelands — this is the one stop where you'll dress up. Several reserves are malaria-free, ideal with young children.

Zambia & Zimbabwe

Walking-safari country: closed, quiet-soled boots and long neutral trousers earn their place. At Victoria Falls, peak water (roughly February–June) soaks the viewpoints — a poncho is provided, but bring a waterproof phone pouch. October is seriously hot; pack lighter.

Namibia

Desert extremes: scorching days, near-freezing nights, and fine sand that gets everywhere. Bring high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, a buff or scarf for dust, and seal camera gear in zip bags. A warm jacket for stargazing — the night skies are the point.

Zanzibar & the islands

Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash top for snorkeling. In Stone Town and village areas, shoulders and knees covered — Zanzibar is culturally conservative away from the resorts. Mauritius and the Seychelles are relaxed everywhere.

Kilimanjaro

A different packing job entirely — full layering from rainforest to arctic summit night. We send climbers a dedicated gear list with your final documents; quality rental gear is available in Moshi and Arusha.

Bring them — no permit is needed for personal photography anywhere we travel, however professional your kit looks. A few things we've learned from years of game drives:

• A 100–400mm zoom covers almost everything; pair it with a wide lens for landscapes and camp life.
• Skip the tripod on drives — a beanbag on the window frame is steadier in a vehicle, and most camps have them. Bring a monopod only if you're walking.
• Everything counts toward the 15kg light-aircraft limit, camera bag included. Tell us your kit weight and we'll pre-book an extra seat or freight if needed.
• Dust is the real enemy: bring a rocket blower, keep lens changes for camp, and pack a dry bag or pillowcase to cover the camera between sightings.
• Spare batteries fly in your carry-on (airline lithium rules), and every lodge can charge overnight — bring your plug adapter.

Leave the drone at home — we say this to every guest who asks, and it saves real heartache at the airport:

• Drones are banned in the national parks and reserves of every country we visit — the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, the Okavango, Kruger and the rest — even if you hold a national aviation permit. Park authorities enforce this separately, to protect wildlife and anti-poaching patrols.
• Customs at Kilimanjaro and Nairobi scan for drones on arrival; without pre-approved import permits, expect confiscation on the spot — with no guarantee of return.
• Permits exist for licensed film productions, but they take one to several months, cost from around $1,000, and are almost never granted to tourists.
• Want aerial footage anyway? Do it legally and better: a sunrise hot-air balloon over the Serengeti or Mara, or a scenic helicopter or light-aircraft flight — we build either into your itinerary.